About Smyrna

Smyrna is located about 10 miles northwest of Atlanta, Georgia and is considered an integral part of the Metro Atlanta area. Known as the "Jonquil City," it derives this name from the thousands of jonquils that flourish in gardens and along the streets in early spring.

The City of Smyrna was incorporated in 1872 and operates under a form of government with Mayor and Council members representing seven wards. Mayor and Council are elected by the people for four-year terms. The governing body appoints a City Administrator to serve as the City's chief administrative officer. Over the years, the City of Smyrna - covering approximately 15 sq. miles - has developed into a vital and active member of the regional landscape.

Just a 15-minute drive from downtown Atlanta, yet free of the congestion

Revitalized and active downtown area includes a library, community center, retail development and mixed-use development, city hall and charming homes

Charming neighborhoods with a vast array of amenities for residents and businesses

Parks, jogging trails, pools, lighted tennis courts, public golf courses and much more

More than 50,000 residents call Smyrna home, and this area of Cobb County continues to be attractive for residential development. Smyrna’s demographic profile shows its residents are younger and have a higher per capita income as compared with the Atlanta MSA. Our neighborhoods are diverse in style and are doubly enriched with diversity and community spirit. Our location near the Cumberland – Galleria employment center continues to draw residents and businesses to our community.

Retail and commercial opportunities continue to expand with this growth in rooftops. Smyrna actively recruits small, locally owned specialty retail and restaurants and national operators. We have also identified the need for additional office and professional space for small business enterprises. We encourage new developments to incorporate flexible commercial space that can accommodate a wide variety of uses both now and in the future.

The City of Smyrna’s Village Green and Market Village are surrounded by and include 33 acres of parks and green space within one mile of downtown. Within our 15 square miles one may find 304 acres of park and green space. In the downtown area you will find a well-equipped Community Center with two gyms and exercise equipment. You will also find a very healthy pond with even healthier wildlife - giant koi - and lots of trees. Recreation facilities exist throughout the City and park space is available for special events.

Downtown Smyrna includes the following:

The 20th Century Veterans Memorial is located in our beautiful and active downtown, adjacent to the only city-owned public library of its kind in Georgia and a new stylish playground. The charm of Smyrna's downtown is unmistakable. Visit the Success Story section of this website to learn about the Smyrna story. The two largest areas of the downtown are the Village Green and the Market Village, both models of revitalization and redevelopment for other cities.

Village Green - This is citizen common ground. This is where the Community Center, the Library and arboretum reside. It is a focal point where people come together. This town center with adjacent private housing, retail and office space, city hall and a public safety facility is a pleasing and accessible area that is inviting and refreshing.

Market Village - This phase of downtown development is unmatched in appeal and village atmosphere. The design features 16 townhomes, 40,000 sq ft of retail space and another 18,000 sq ft of office space. Whatever you think you know about mixed-use today, rest assured that if it works, the idea got an early start in Smyrna. The success experience by Smyrna has encouraged others to apply the formula. Whatever you think you know about "Live, Work, Play," know that it is at its best in Smyrna and it is the Market Village. The Market Village is the heart of downtown - the new social center with restaurants, shops and services.

The City of Smyrna has developed a reputation for smart growth and revitalization and was awarded the Urban Land Institute’s Award for Excellence.

Smyrna is pro-business and service-oriented – committed to business as well and the business of community and its residents. Smyrna has long been an integral part of the growth and development of Cobb County and is recognized as one of the most desirable places to live in the entire Metropolitan Atlanta area, the place to be…the place to call home.

In geographical terms, the City of Smyrna exhibits some excellent physical characteristics. With an average temperature of 61.4 degrees, the climate is very favorable consisting of warm summers and moderate winters. Between these seasons, the Smyrna area is decorated with thousands of jonquils blooming in the spring and a colorful change of leaves in the fall. The general terrain of the area is characteristic of the piedmont region of Georgia. One will find hills with broad ridges, sloping uplands, and relatively narrow valleys. Smyrna - downtown - sits at an altitude of 1,150 feet above sea level with the general area at 800 to 1080 feet above sea level. Smyrna's climate is seasonal with long, pleasant spring and fall seasons.

With visionary leadership and strong community spirit, Smyrna has become one of the most popular places to reside in the metro-Atlanta area. The "small town" atmosphere aligned with a progressive approach in city government, offers the type of modern lifestyle many seek when deciding where to raise their families.

Another important attribute of Smyrna is its location in relationship to major transportation modes. Being a citizen of Smyrna means having ready access to several different methods of conveyance. The City is strategically located near three interstate and intrastate highway systems: I-75, I-20, and I-285. Downtown Atlanta is a 15-minute drive via the interstate and Atlanta’s Hartsfield International Airport is only a 30-minute drive away. In addition, several principal arterial roadways, such as Cobb Parkway (U.S. Highway 41), Atlanta Road and South Cobb Drive (State Highway 280), pass through the municipality. The East-West Connector road extension through Cobb County also runs through Smyrna with entrance to the Silver Comet Trail within Smyrna. The Cobb Community Transit (CCT) bus system provides public transportation for our residents with links to the Metropolitan Atlanta Rapid Transit Authority (MARTA) rapid-rail network. There are also two major railways that service Smyrna and four airports can be found within an 18-mile radius of the City.